A preliminary analysis of platelet von Willebrand factor oligosaccharides

Little is known about the carbohydrate structure of the platelet von Willebrand factor (vWf). We have analyzed N-linked oligosaccharides from both plasma and platelet vWf by Fluorophore-Assisted-Carbohydrate Electrophoresis (FACE) and isoelectric focusing before and after digestion of the proteins with neuraminidase. We observed a greater variety of N-linked oligosaccharides derived from plasma vWf than from platelet vWf. Neuraminidase treatment reduced the oligosaccharides from both proteins to only two or three bands and produced significant increases in their isoelectric points.